A hybrid car uses two or more forms of power. Hybrid cars are designed for fuel efficiency and low emissions. Most hybrid cars on the road now are gasoline-electric hybrids. Three primary components are integrated to make a hybrid:

• an internal combustion gas engine,
• an electric motor and
• a high-powered battery

A process called regenerative braking is used to capture energy and charge the battery. This is energy that would normally be lost during coasting or decelerating. The battery which is continuously recharged through this process provides power to the electric motor. If necessary, power from the gasoline engine may also be diverted to charge the battery. These charging strategies create an electrical power system that never needs to be plugged in to charge from an external source. A plug-in hybrid gives owners the option to plug in their car to recharge the battery.